The thing that sticks out to me is that Babcock seemed pissed about Holland's moves, or lack thereof, last summer. I have a hard time faulting him when Holland seems content to take no chances to patch obvious holes. He's afraid to move anyone. Maybe if guys were a little more afraid about getting traded or not getting re-signed, they'd put a little more effort into their game and play smarter. Just an idea. I'll give Babcock a pass for another year or two to see if Holland actually shows up and does his job to give Babcock the best team possible.

Babcock isn't the problem and Holland isn't the problem. The problem is that Datsyuk and Zetterberg aren't the players they used to be and Franzen is a no show. Hudler isn't sucking but he certainly isn't playing great (though props for his goal tonight). Filppula is playing solid but can't carry the team. The simple fact is that our team has little offensive strength anymore.

One more thing. I don't like Babcock's style of offense at all. It seems like all we do is triangle offense or cycle to some guy open in the corner to shoot while no one is in front of the net.

I'm a huge fan of the crash the net offense. Burst into the zone with speed. maybe a pass or two. Throw it on the net and have the three forwards charging there looking for rebounds. The point is that we will make our own breaks and create scoring chances. They might not always be top quality, but at least they will be scoring chances instead of mindless cycling.

One more thing. I don't like Babcock's style of offense at all. It seems like all we do is triangle offense or cycle to some guy open in the corner to shoot while no one is in front of the net.

I'm a huge fan of the crash the net offense. Burst into the zone with speed. maybe a pass or two. Throw it on the net and have the three forwards charging there looking for rebounds. The point is that we will make our own breaks and create scoring chances. They might not always be top quality, but at least they will be scoring chances instead of mindless cycling.

Babcock isn't the problem and Holland isn't the problem. The problem is that Datsyuk and Zetterberg aren't the players they used to be and Franzen is a no show. Hudler isn't sucking but he certainly isn't playing great (though props for his goal tonight). Filppula is playing solid but can't carry the team. The simple fact is that our team has little offensive strength anymore.

Wrong and wrong. The problem is not Datsyuk and Zetterberg. While you can make an argument that datsyuk is more predictable than he was previously, you cannot say that he declined his skill. He had a great injury and quite frankly noone knows that he has recovered fully from that incident. Same as to zetterberg, I think overall the Wings have just become too predicable and it hurts us in the long run. Look at our powerplay, otherwise. Babcock went out to find new coaches for a new style because things weren't working, well quite frankly... we probably won't see their potential until a year or two in the NHL.

Not the coaches' fault, look what they have to work with. In all honesty our top line has an old, worn down Bertuzzi and a shell of what used to be Franzen. To make matters even worse, Zetterberg has to lift Hudler and Flip on his bad back. Our 3rd and 4th lines are HORRIBLE, some of that due to injuries but also some of that due to not making a trade at the deadline and not signing any free agents. Our defense is an old Lidstrom who isn't playing like Lidstrom (he looks VERY slow out there with his bad ankle and all) and a career journeyman Ian White. Kronwall and Stuart are playing good hockey but Stuart's foot is out the door, and Ericsson-Quincey I thought have been pretty good but I'm probably in the minority there. Our goalie has been below average since his finger injury and there's no backup to throw in to change things up.

I hate to sound so pessimistic, but Holland needs to make some SERIOUS changes this off season. Sadly, his post-lockout track record doesn't make me feel like that will happen.

Look at our powerplay, otherwise. Babcock went out to find new coaches for a new style because things weren't working, well quite frankly... we probably won't see their potential until a year or two in the NHL.

Quite the optimist?

Our special teams are the laughing stock of the whole NHL. If we give them a chance to see their "potential" Im gonna look for a new sport to watch in the winter, snow shoeing is pretty exciting compared to our power play..

Our special teams are the laughing stock of the whole NHL. If we give them a chance to see their "potential" Im gonna look for a new sport to watch in the winter, snow shoeing is pretty exciting compared to our power play..

N'ville is probably GLAD when we go on the power play. "OH thank god, two minutes where we don't have to worry about them scoring".

If they just keep the two point men open then all we'll do is pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass mishandle out of the zone the whole time.

Wrong and wrong. The problem is not Datsyuk and Zetterberg. While you can make an argument that datsyuk is more predictable than he was previously, you cannot say that he declined his skill. He had a great injury and quite frankly noone knows that he has recovered fully from that incident. Same as to zetterberg, I think overall the Wings have just become too predicable and it hurts us in the long run. Look at our powerplay, otherwise. Babcock went out to find new coaches for a new style because things weren't working, well quite frankly... we probably won't see their potential until a year or two in the NHL.

I'm not saying the problem is Datsyuk and Zetterberg, I'm just saying there is no denying that they're not the beasts of 07, 08 and 09. Look at how many shots Datsyuk misses. He's still a great player, I'm jsut saying our offense is not nearly as good as it used to be.